When looking for work, many job-seekers often assume that any job is better than no job. Hence, they take any employment offers that come their way, even if the duties are below their experience level or the pay is not ideal. However, new research shows that this could be a very bad idea.

Rob Wilson, President of Employco USA and employment trends expert, says, “A new study published in International Journal of Epidemiology found that low-paying, poor-quality jobs have more of a devasating impact on a person’s physical health and emotional well-being than having no job at all.”

Other studies have also shown that ‘stopgap’ jobs are also a bad idea for your career success as well. “A study published in the National Bureau of Economic Research found that employers were much more likely to offer a position to a person who was unemployed, but had experience in the field, as opposed to a person who was employed in a lesser position that required less experience and expertise,” explains Wilson.

However, while taking a poor-quality, “stopgap” job can have a negative impact on your health and your job hunting prospects, Wilson cautions that this does not mean that applicants should refuse to consider any temporary work.

“This study illustrates that employers are looking for one thing: Experience that is relative to the job. Hence, if you want to achieve your dream career, you should not accept jobs that aren’t going to offer you that valuable experience,” says Wilson. “That is why temporary work and staffing agencies can be invaluable. They can cater your job search to your very specific career goals, which means you won’t have to worry about making a misstep which can haunt you for years to come.”